Mice And Beans - Softcover

But in the week before the party, there's so much to keep track of ("I am so busy that I'm forgetting to remember!") that she's just not sure she'll have everything ready. And to top it off, she keeps forgetting to set mousetraps for all the ratones scurrying around her home... or does she? She might not know it yet, but Rosa María lives with some pretty clever mice.

Illustrator Joe Cepeda's forgetful abuelita is a riot as she preps for the party, with her giant red glasses and braided blonde hair like a loaf of bread. Those frisky little rodents also manage to put on quite a show scrabbling around the vibrantly colored casita. Pam Muñoz Ryan's expert timing, rhythmic repetition, and skillfully sprinkled Spanish (with pronunciation glossary in the back) keep the story moving muy rápido, and the party--of course--turns out wonderfully, but with at least one good surprise. Maybe Rosa María misheard her mother's saying about those mice after all. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Please ask an adult to help you.

RICE

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups long grain white rice

1/3 cup minced onion

1/3 cup minced bell pepper

1 14 1/2-oz. can chicken or vegetable broth

1/4 cup tomato sauce stirred into 1 1/2 cups water

Pour oil into large skillet. Add onion, bell pepper, and rice, and saute over medium heat until rice is lightly toasted. Add broth and tomato sauce water. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Do not stir while simmering or rice will be mushy. Remove from heat and let sit for five minutes. Carefully fluff with a fork.

BEANS

1 16-oz. bag dried pinto beans

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 14 1/2-oz. cans chicken or vegetable broth

2 14 1/2-oz. soup cans water salt and pepper to taste

Follow directions on the back of the bag for cleaning and soaking beans. Drain water. Combine beans, onion, garlic, broth, and water in large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 1/2-3 hours, stirring often, until beans are plump and soft.

Serve rice and beans in a bowl, side-by-side, with additions such as sour cream, salsa, grated cheese, and avocado slices. Or roll everything into a flour tortilla for a delicious burrito!